ADHD UK – ADHD LANGUAGE STYLE GUIDE

This page aims to provide a language guide to writing about ADHD

When writing or speaking about ADHD

We recommend you:

• Only refer to someone as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when it is relevant to the story, and;
• The person has confirmed they have a medical diagnosis of ADHD, and;
• has personally OK’d the mention of ADHD or (in the case of individuals in the public eye) been previously public about their diagnosis. A diagnosis of ADHD is medically protected data so care needs to be taken on the publication of that data.

How to refer to ADHD generally

• Ideally use “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” as the first reference if referring to a diagnosis; then use ADHD ongoing.

How to refer to ADHD with regard to an individual

• We recommend you refer to someone as “having ADHD”, for example: “Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, has ADHD“.
• It is also widely accepted to refer to individuals having a diagnosis of ADHD or being on the wait list for an ADHD Assessment, for example: “Henry Shelford has received a diagnosis for ADHD“.
• There is some personal preference here, so when interviewing someone, the best practice is to ask them how they like to be referred to.

Referring to ADHD as a disability

ADHD is a formally recognised disability and can be referred to as such.

Pointers on Language to Avoid

• Please avoid saying someone “suffers from ADHD” or is “suffering from ADHD”.
• Please avoid saying “ADHD is a super-power” without qualifying how challenging ADHD can be. It can be very difficult for individuals struggling to be told they have a superpower. They can be left feeling that not only are they having a difficult time but they are also failing at having their disability. Some individuals may reference ADHD as their superpower – doing so can help them and others look at using their attributes positively. In that circumstance, individual choice and perspective reign, and it is worth noting that the super-power idea is widely talked to; however, the interview may benefit from including questions on “What kryptonite is getting in the way of them “being super?”.

When writing or speaking about Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence

General Guidance on using the terms Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence

Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence are different.

Neurodiversity = the diversity of ALL minds, so includes everyone.

Neurodivergence = those with the Neurodivergent conditions, which specifically include ADHD and other conditions. It specifically excludes people without those conditions.

Examples on using Neurodiverse and Neurodivergent

Everyone is Neurodiverse.

Someone with ADHD is Neurodivergent

“X is Neurodivergent”

Pointers on Language to Avoid

• We recommend you avoid saying someone is Neurodiverse as, for many in the Neurodivergent community, that is as irrelevant and similar to saying “X is a human and has a head”.
• For the same reasons, we recommend against referring to the “Neurodiverse community” and instead recommend using the “Neurodivergent community”